Kodak Challenge Champ Returns for More in the Desert

Kevin Streelman opened the "defense" of his Kodak Challenge title at this week's Bob Hope Classic.

But unlike Pat Perez, whose reign as the defending champion of the popular celebrity pro-am in Palm Springs, Calif., ends Sunday, Streelman will be the Kodak Challenge champ until the final PGA TOUR event of the year is held in November.

The Kodak Challenge, now in its second season, is a year-long competition contested over 30 of the most scenic holes on TOUR. Players must play at least 18 of them and the one with the best cumulative score at the end of the year wins $1 million.

Streelman came to 2009's final hole -- the 485-yard, par-4 17th on the Magnolia Course at Walt Disney World -- leading by two strokes. And when he birdied the hole that Friday with his parents and sister in the gallery, the title was his.

"There was definitely pressure," Streelman acknowledged. "It's such a unique idea. It was almost like you had 72nd hole pressure competing in a TOUR event every time you came to that hole.

"It was draining, but it was fun to be a part of. It will be good preparation for me when I get in the hunt for a title to be able to say that I made birdie at Disney and an eagle at Vegas when it counted (in the Kodak Challenge). It was a great learning experience."

Streelman's personal title defense begins when he steps to the 17th tee at the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West. But the 28 players who competed in the season-opening, winners-only SBS Championship got a head start on the competition. Sean O'Hair and Paul Casey are currently tied for the lead at 2 under after eagles on the 18th hole at Kapalua.

The competition intensifies as the season progresses. Streelman surged into first place when he eagled the 17th hole at the John Deere Classic with a 3-wood to 2 feet that he called "probably my best shot of the year." He remained at the top of the Kodak Challenge leaderboard for the rest of the season.

Even early in the year, though, Streelman said it's hard not to notice the signage at the Kodak Challenge holes each week. But he says you have to be careful not to place more importance on that one hole than the other 17 each week.

"To be honest, it's a title where to play your best, you have to try and not think about which holes are Kodak holes, especially early on in year," Streelman said. "The more pressure you put on yourself the less likely you are to perform at your optimal level."

Streelman said the Kodak Challenge gained legs as the year progressed. By August his friends wouldn't let him forget where he stood, and the media kept asking him about the competition. The 2010 season could be different, though.

"I'll bet there will be a lot more attention to it early in the year than it was last year," Streelman said. "Back then we just knew it was winner-take-all, but now we all understand what's at stake.

"Late in the year, there was a lot of trash-talking going on. All the guys at the top -- we are good buddies and we'd get back in the locker room, and it was like, did you make that birdie, did you make that eagle? We'd nudge each other a little bit."

Once he had the title wrapped up, Streelman and his wife Courtney put the money to good use. They paid off their home in Scottsdale and helped their families, as well as donating to charities like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Several local homeless shelters and animal rescue organizations also benefited.

"It was a huge blessing," Streelman said. "That's what it's all about. If you can't share the money with loved ones and those less fortunate, then what are we doing it for? Our families would do the same for us."

Kodak Challenge Champ Returns for More in the Desert

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